190 Smith, Birds of Kerr Co., Texas. [^pni 



Irailli; although equally quiet during its presence. Lacey's account does 

 not include this or the preceding species. 



Aphelocoma texana. Texas Jay. — This very local form keeps well 

 within the Upper Sonoran, except on occasions when it descends to the 

 streams to drink, mostly after dry weather has set in; but it quickly re- 

 turns to its natural haunt — hillsides covered with a mixed growth of cedar 

 and oak. It was found to congregate in flocks, even during the breeding 

 season which, as Lacey has correctly stated, occupies late March and early 

 April, so perhaps only a portion of its numbers nest annually. The Texan 

 Jay while affecting a varied diet is very fond of the acorns of the Spanish 

 and shin oaks, searching these out and eating them after they have sprouted. 

 Until the plumage of this Jay is much worn, it closely resembles .4. wood- 

 housei, for the brown on the back is much obscured by a slaty cast in 

 the fresh plumage while many of the adults have the under tail coverts 

 strongly tinged with blue. 



Molothrus ater ater. Cowbird. — Judging from material secured this 

 is the breeding form; but several examples taken in late March and in 

 April possess a heavier, shorter bill than is usual in true ater; although 

 seemingly not variety obscurus. 



Astragalinus tristis tristis. Goldfinch. — This common winter 

 visitant was noted as late as April 7 frequently associating in flocks with 

 the following. 



Astragalinus psaltria mexicanus.i Examination of a large series 

 of adult males from the region shows a uniformity in the intensity of the 

 black on the upperparts. Even examples taken in winter present little 

 evidence of a greenish tinge. Although Lacey considers it as a summer 

 visitant only, I found it throughout my stay. Limited in numbers during 

 most of the winter but of common occurrence after March 1. 



Passerculus sandwichensis nevadensis. Great Basin Savannah 

 Sparrow. — The form found commonly wintering was alaudinus, as was 

 shown by the identifications made by the Biological Survey. One skin 

 however (taken March 7) was returned labelled rievadensis. Savannah 

 Sparrows were present up to April 5. 



Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatus. Western Grass- 

 hopper Sparrow. — As Lacey seems to consider the Western Grasshopper 

 Sparrow only a winter visitant, it seems worthy of record to give the 

 final date — May 8 — -upon which I noted it. This bird was most fre- 

 quently encountered on hilltops where the cedar was scattered enough to 

 allow grass to grow. 



Zonotrichia querula. Harris's Sparrow. — The presence of this dis- 

 tinguished looking sparrowwas coincident with the coldest period of the year, 

 or from January 25 to Februar>^ 5, when small flocks were several times seen. 



Zonotrichia albicoUis. White-throated Sparrow. — Appears to 

 be an uncommon winter visitant. Lacey gives one record only, while I 

 observed at least two in company of various other sparrows, February 6. 



1 The race mexicanus is not recognized in the A. O. U Check-List. 



